Halifax Student Account Query

orionmoo

I posted this in another thread but this forum seems to be dead so i've decided to post it in its own thread:

I have heard from students on another [student] forum that when they've tried to apply to a student account at Halifax, they're been rejected because their credit check came back as null, seeing as they do not have any credit rating, and thus have been rejected by Halifax. How is one suppossed to open an account with them and to get a credit rating in the first place, if you need a credit rating to open the account!!

Is it better to open a 16-18 year old account with them and then change it into a student account with them when you start univeristy? Will this increase your chances of being accepted, or will it make no difference? Will it just be the same as anyone from any bank asking for a student account with Halifax?

melancholly

halifax are very picky about giving out accounts.... rather than openning accounts you don't need, i'd just get a student account with a different bank! i think halifax promotes having the highest interest free overdraft, but lots of people don't seem to get it.

orionmoo

Thats why I'm wondering if I should open a 16-18 account now, in the hope it'd increase my chances of getting a student account when I goto uni.

rach13

I would suggest opening a 16-18 year old account now. They usually do a credit check and if you dont have any credit you dont get an account but you can be considered by using other methods ie having an account already with them and keeping it well.

I myself have the halifax student account with the full £2750 overdraft, I also worked for them over the summer so I know a bit of the behind the scenes stuff!

orionmoo

Ah right, thanks! I currently have a Barclays under-18s account so I may go down and open a halifax one tomorrow.
So I take it good credit is better than no credit. Even so, how do they expect people who have just turned 18 to have credit which you cant get until your 18?? Luckily im 18 in september, so I might just buy a laptop on a buy now pay later thing..

rach13

I should mention one other thing, if you dont have credit and you are on the electoral register then they also take that into account - dont ask me why! So maybe thats also something to consider when you turn 18

orionmoo

Right, well I set up an account today. I think i'll just put my name on the voting thingy then when i'm 18, and maybe buy a laptop on a buy now pay in 6 months interest free deals... I'm sure that'd give me a boost.

Thanks for your help!

beautifulgorgeous_2

My dd got turned down at the Halifax but accepted by Nat West when she applied for a student account.

Gemmzie

I've got a Halifax Student account, but I've been with IF (who they owned) for about four years now and had one of their crossover credit cards so I think that helped.

liam191

I'd been with halifax for about 5 years before i joined uni and when i joined when put me straight on the student account with the full amount i could get, think i get £2,700 now and have done for the past 2 years since they highered the amount...all good fun!!

kimbostock

:mad: This is exactly the same problem my son had with the NatWest, they advertise student accounts and if you apply for one you will receive a free Student Railcard...apply for one and they refuse you as no credit rating.
Also Barclays who he already had an account with, wont change to student account and also have lowest 0% overdraft limit!......any suggestions?